The homeward hurry.

 Post #634

19/2  Cruisy for some....cruelty for others!

Would a sedate spin to the start-line leave something in the tank for the Saturday lap?  Emil's absence and being ahead of agenda took the pressure off the pace for the 10 km commute to Sanctuary Drive, though a southerly blew enough to be a nuisance.  (Not many like the wind, unless it's up your Khyber!)  18 lights accumulated in the 6 am darkness at the roundabout, my eyes searching for newcomer Luke, a friend of a friend on a visit from Wodonga.   I finally found him (and another stranger to the squad, Pickles)  among Grumpy, Rocket, Molly, Greg, TrackStan, Wozza, Boof, The Godfather, PistolPete, Tina, Lance, Liam, Bo, Bruce, Troy and Lenny.  

Six bells struck and PistolPete set wheels rolling south and, like many, I quickly sought the slipstream to avoid suffering that southerly fair in the face.  (Some may say shirker, I'll call it survivor!)  The fitter of the fraternity saved us by forming the advance.  Slotted in behind Pickles wheel and with Luke behind me had me on foreign soil.  That trust you unwittingly rely on with the regulars is suddenly appreciated when in close quarters with those of different habits.  There'd be plenty of social stuff before duty in the drivers seat, likely to be in 20 km or so before those ahead had served their time.  

I hadn't seen rain on the radar but a few spits came riding through Central Kialla, not until getting into River Rd that I realised the spits weren't from the sky at all, but from Pickles ahead of me, excessively expectorating!  (Charming!)  Most of us delay the download of the excesses of exertion till the coast is clear in the caboose (or moving well off-line if the need is more urgent) so demerit points to this dude ; a wheel to avoid in the future  (Or carry a rapid antigen test!)   TrackStan's a rarity riding in the Saturday squad though Troy's making riding regular, otherwise it was the familiar family gathering we've come to expect with the season on our side.  The shift from demotion to promotion near River Rd's dip put Luke ahead and Pickles behind (gotta love the dry climate now!) and it was soon evident that Luke's not accustomed to a crowd.  

His became that awkward wheel to follow where sudden slows and varied lines required a bigger gap to be given.  Clearly not a regular bunch bloke.  (but we're not so exclusive to exclude)   Moments like these the steady wheel of Liam, Bruce, Rocket et al has a whole lot more value.  Troy and The Godfather captained the eastern leg on Old Dookie Rd (though a some echelon education was needed to get most out of the gutter). Tina took on a lead role at the bacon barn and with a bit of verbal encouragement, did the drive to the Toaster.  Luke braved the front when I was ushered across by Tina for the northbound drive to the Pine Lodge church, so it was go easy on the throttle to prevent toasting Tina or our visitor.  

Pickles parted company as our pack pointed west on Lemnos-Cosgrove but we gained Wendy rolling just ahead (her search was for Wouldabeens but the Couldabeens became a more attractive proposition for propulsion to town).  The usual excitement brewed in Wanganui Rd as the Mount came into focus, so being right at the rear crossing DECA's driveway got maximum draft. Something got the order shuffled though into Rudd Rd, by Golf Drive I was paired with PistolPete at the pointy end!  So much for having plenty in the tank from the sedate spin to the start-line, the gauge was on empty near Cemetery hill so Lenny's labor was called on to get to Canterbury's roundabout.  From there it became a battle of survival for those with a want for wattage as the fit frolicked along the Boulevard and the bits broke off the back.  Wheels were dropped and gaps opened yet nobody was left to suffer solo.  Recompense came in the form of breakfast at the Butter Factory with 20 thou variations, next generation degrees and Wendy's wattage capturing the conversations.

21/2  Orchestral manoeuvres in the dark. 

The sound of wind whistling through the trees wasn't the most motivational music to wake to ; by recent records I guessed it would be a southerly again to serve up a slice of suffering to start the week (why should we get it easy?).   The commute to Sanctuary Drive wasn't as painful as predicted as it happened, there was a bit of westerly in the southerly and it was double the forecast 14 km/h but somehow I could manage a sentence or three alongside Emil to the south of town (fingers crossed this marginal improvement stays permanent!) 

 The Ninja must have had extra concrete on her Corn Flakes to suffer the wind solo for her 16 km trip.  Big tick for tenacity!  Lenny, Rocket, Kel, The Godfather, Bruce, PistolPete, Tina, Kreeky, Wozza, Greg and Bo converged for the 5:40 flagfall too.  Of course PistolPete opened the innings.  There's usually a cautious use of the throttle to the truck route as a gentle introduction, but this morning needed full gas at the back of the bunch to stay in touch.  Not the introduction Tina wanted, she about faced and took a short-cut to join later in River Rd.  Away from the southwester and bound for Central Kialla, the labor eased, so speed was applied accordingly to make up the deficit.  A few were preparing for an all out sprint to catch the pack on the turn north to River Rd but a little calm came at the turn. Tina caught the caboose as Wozza and Kreeky set sights on River Rd's bridge but Bo was hobbled by a disobliging Di2 (stuck on the 53/12) beyond the dip  (I believe charging the system helps Bo!)  

Darkness blanketed all beyond the headlights beam, not even a horizon to hope for till nearing Old Dookie Rd (who remembers being blinded by the sun even before reaching River Rd?  Seems like years ago!)   Bruce's prediction we'd reach the front and hit the wind in Old Dookie Rd seemed likely as Lenny and The Godfather took the lead role in Coach Rd, there were a few ahead yet to serve their shift and in the meantime, there was entertainment supplied as The Godfather received guidance on wind direction.  Kel's captaincy was a comfort for Tina to take a turn in Boundary Rd (the wind behind a comfort too) and as predicted, Bruce and I were put in charge in Old Dookie when Tina called a quick roll. I'd surprised myself setting a reasonable pace under the conditions, even extending the shift beyond School Rd, but let's not get too carried away Foss, it's still the same old me, not a new one!  Emil and PistolPete kept two rows silent beyond Central Ave, those somewhat vulnerable to the velocity safely in their slipstream. 

22/2  The lure of that red led ahead.

The squad of six squirrels was back, line astern into Channel Rd's darkness, heads down and tails up as Emil set the speed toward the truck route.  33 / 34 was the concession for Kim's comeback ; a week off the bike needed some sort of discount (suited me to a tee, two weeks of toil was wearing me thin!)   It was good to get quickly into that zone at second wheel ; a comfortable sit, focus fixed on the La Pierre's rear hub, ears set to the music of 12 wheels humming on the tarmac, head un-clouded, breathing relaxed and rhythmic and the heart-rate well short of doing a Hiroshima.  I could go like this for an hour!  (shut up Foss! Emil might just tow me to Benalla and give me the head wind home!) Time to perform came at the truck route and still stuck in that zone made a stress free spin to Orrvale, though the heart numbers climbed a bit higher into zone 4.  Rubber stamp Jen's drive to the Kinder and Tina's turn to the cypress trees, Kim turned captain from there.  A week off hadn't weakened her wattage, still holding the reigns beyond the S bend in the mid 30's.  (If I took a week off I'd need a month to find form again!)  

The Ninja was let loose in Coach Rd to head to the highway and made her target Boundary Rd's bridge where Emil started round two.  I was in luck, the south southwester would help me. Mid 30's became high 30's with the wind up the what's-it, Emil's elbow handing me the leg from Old to New Dookie Rd (a bit shy of his usual shift but sharing the tailwind wins friends).   Jen dragged us to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd and Kim's contribution west shortened (a bit too much fuel consumption on the first shift Kim?)     No matter, nobody measures.  Tina took on the lead to the main channel where the 5ft Ninja had no problem with pace to Lemnos North Rd, a red led ahead became the bait to get there (some unknown guy was overtaken at the rumble strips) There's nothing like a chase to dredge up some determination!  The drive to Grahamvale Rd had Emil's enthusiasm to keep up with so the short 1200 metres to Verney Rd was mine as a third contribution.  Jen could do the shift into the southerly to Balaclava Rd, she's got the wattage to do it! 

23/2  Social speed.....sort of! 

Wednesday's star attraction is the social speed ; none of this life on the limit, breathing like Darth Vader stuff, a steady spin that's good for a chat, a few minutes of labor to earn your keep and caffeine after. So it was no surprise to find plenty at the grid (Grumpy, Trav, Rocket, Lenny, Bo, Wozza, Boof, The Godfather, Kel, Molly, Kreeky, Liam, Emil, Tina, PistolPete, Bruce and Jen)   

PistolPete of course started proceedings south, quite tame in tempo to the truck route so there was the impression we worked as a team. Tentative use of the throttle got the velocity into the mid 30's toward Mitchell Rd. Grumpy and Emil took the lead east to Central Kialla and 'tentative' was thrown out the window, 39's were on the speedo to keep in touch as the bunch bolted toward the Euroa Rd.  Bo was happy with the hurry north to River Rd too but I guess the lack of wind was some incentive for speed.  Bruce restored the Wednesday standards on River Rd's way east, bringing comfort to those who'd come along for something sort of social. The Godfather's sense of direction had us in the centre of Coach Rd for some reason and I'd wondered if I'd even get near the front seeing a long line ahead at One Tree Dam.  Tina was close to serving a shift on Boundary Rd but did a sneaky shift to the left line when turning into Old Dookie, probably spooked by the speed for the homeward hurry. 

High 30's had returned to the agenda (not naming the perpetrator for fear of litigation!) and it becomes infectious as the turns roll ; the next to hold the reigns feel obliged to preserve the pace, then the next, then the next......  At least eyes and ears were well open to pick up any pieces that fell off the back. Kel and Jen paired to push the last leg home to the truck route, the call for a little calm as the tail-enders negotiated with roundabout traffic gave me a relaxed one-and-only turn at the front. 

24/2  Slave to the rhythm.

Just like clockwork, the turns rolled smooth at a steady pace, the company of familiar squirrels on a well known course all with teamwork on the agenda a great recipe.  Maybe that's the attraction to get out of bed at stupid o'clock?  Molly made the squirrel squad seven for Thursday and isn't she the chip off the old PistolPete block for smoothness!  The almost textbook order of Emil, me and Jen did the preliminaries to the Kinder where Molly took on the leg to the cypress trees.  Tina, Kim and the Ninja completed eastbound duties to finish Channel Rd and Emil was left in charge at Hosie Rd.  Would he give me the elbow at Old Dookie?  (Nobody was measuring.  It had me on standby though).  You don't dare take your eye off the wheel ahead for fear of missing your cue and ruining rhythm, so eyes stayed glued beyond Old Dookie wondering if a blink had missed something.  

The elbow finally flicked at New Dookie Rd so I had a different shift for a change of scenery; avoiding the three lots of rumble strips and the thud from the train-less tracks, the old engine wasn't going too bad to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd  (let's not get too excited Foss, it'll be subject to change without notice...or reason!)   Jen put in a long shift west, Molly likewise on Ford Rd so Tina scored the 1200 metres to Verney to put Kim at the front to take us to Balaclava (but Emil took over driving duty half a k later.  Righting a wrong?  Showing chivalry? Seeking a favor?  Doing what he's told? Who'd know!)

25/2  Beaut beach bunch!

A Luna Park start to Beach Rd was different! All other attempts on the east side of Port Phillip Bay have started solo from Mordialloc, so today's visit to the big smoke joined the Knights of Suburbia southside social squad.  Contrary to my usual spin, the first leg south was into the wind (SSE @ 13-20) but the best bit was the breeze at the backside back.  20 odd formed (Dan, Grant, Jeff, SuperSam, Jon and others that have since slipped an old-timer's memory!) at Mr Moon's open mouth (Luna Park turns 110 this year!), an almost obligatory mechanical delaying the off for a minute (a brand new metal-flake green Cervelo needing a seat-post tightened)    This was a "no drop social spin" so it'd be a ride well off the rivet, a respite from what seems like constant thrashings for me lately!  

How I've become seasoned to riding the back blocks of old Shepp! Nothing but traffic lights, parked cars and commuting traffic to deal with here, and with a degree of caution added riding among the unknown, it was hard work mentally.  (I should add all were of good habits).  Standard anti-clockwise rotation was on the menu but with two minute shifts in the drivers seat, and given the size of the pack, I'd be lucky to face the front once!  The headwind kept the drivers silent, the chat behind standard operational procedure. 

Almost up to a steady rhythm, yet another traffic light would change to red to halt progress. (Patience Foss! When in Rome....)  It wasn't till Hampton beach that we'd got a decent drive done ; never thought I'd say I would miss the un-interrupted distance of River Rd!   It wasn't till Mentone that my turn came at the front and scored a pairing with a guy a third my age (of course) but social speed it was, so there was little risk of blowing a head gasket.  Not far from the about face at Mordialloc, we stayed on a bit longer than two minutes to earn our keep. The rules of the return (no tail-wind hogs!) were read on the brief halt at Mordy's pier and the pack set off city bound, buoyed by the breeze at the bum, the only difficulty being passing the few slow coaches that insisted on occupying the entire left lane.  

Coffee, of course, is the reason to ride so the chat and giggle at Cowderoy's made a convivial conclusion. A ride with a suffer score below 100 was bliss!

This week 291 km      YTD 2,290 km                              

For the cruelty....or the coffee after?

 Post #633

12/2  The Saturday habit.

Damn that alarm! What fool set it at 4:35? (Oh yeah, some old guy with a bike....and an obsession)!  The bureau said "feels like 10", the bed was warm and I could hear a wind blowing outside. Eyelids grew heavy......  A millisecond before being sucked in to a sleep-in, I dragged the old engine out of bed and poured some coffee in the tank.  It was Saturday after all!   A ride, a laugh or six, a bit of toil on the front, more coffee, breakfast and a yarn with the possessed.  Why miss it?  The wind (of course) was fair in the face for the 10 km to Sanctuary, not as fierce as Friday's 33 km/h but legs quickly recalled the pain (Emil kindly suppressed his snoring on the commute).  The starting grid (GiantAndy, Lance, Molly, Grumpy, Rocket, Boof, Emil, PistolPete, the 5ft Ninja, Bo, Tina and Kreeky) was eerily quiet.....The Godfather's absence almost deafening!  And where was Greg, Bruce and Wozza? (their wattage would be missed)  PistolPete and Emil released the handbrake to roll the bunch south at 6, tentative till the truck route and with trepidation till passing the pooch house, but upright and up to speed by Mitchell Rd.

There, The Godfather appeared (there goes the serenity!)   The wind had swung a little arriving at Central Kialla, not the help I'd hoped for getting to River Rd.  Now in the advance line, my hopes were on getting to the front with some sort of tail wind, but till then I had oxygen to spare for the social stuff that this Saturday would allow (the bunch wasn't overwhelmed by watts)  Through a few cold patches on Coach Rd put thoughts to July - another winter approaches and with it the joy of yet another 30+ days of 3 or below to come ; but sinking to hibernation only brings the agony of kick-starting the fitness when the weather warms.  (I'll leave that agony to the majority of the Wouldabeens!)  

Time to serve up speed at the front came crossing the Midland, Kreeky reckoned he had little in the tank so that was good news for me (I might manage a decent turn alongside!)   With the fig farm in sight I called a roll, finding the 5ft Ninja as co-pilot to aim at reaching Old Dookie Rd.  Any further and I'd be on the red line.  Turning toward the Toaster surprisingly, the Ninja called a short shift, The Godfather and Bo left to drive east (surprise #2, they behaved themselves!)   

 GiantAndy's big engine dragged us west on Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, it's length seems never ending but barely measures 6 km. (I need to revisit Bells Armstrong Rd to remember 'never ending'!)  Longer than usual shifts (by those blessed with heaps of horsepower) had us into suburbia and I was still 3rd wheel from the business end. (maybe I'd avoid the spectre of fronting the bunch on Wanganui Rd?)    Lenny, GiantAndy and Rocket relieved me of that task.  Kreeky and Rocket towed us into the breeze in Rudd Rd but my turn came at Canterbury's roundabout.  The Godfather was my co-pilot on the Boulevard (Ninja, Tina and Molly now in the caboose preparing for their exit) so I set Tarcoola's roundabout to end my second shift (so far I'd only contributed 3300 metres to the day's propulsion so it was high time to earn my keep!)  For a little variation,  Balaclava Rd was the course today avoiding the gravel infested last k of the Boulevard.  Unexpected windfalls, blocking the bitter (people, not beer!) and old school transport captured conversation at the Butter Factory. 

14/2  Three therapy.

An alarm malfunction meant I'd miss the 5:40 express from Sanctuary, but WhatsApp showed Wouldabeens Joe (not Tony) and Laura hunting for passengers.  So a casual roll to Kialla Lakes set a serene start to the week.  The bonus was a northeaster to help me there.  Rumors of BamBam participating were greatly exaggerated, odds of him showing up were 60:1 with bookmakers.  Tempo would be a tad tame by Couldabeens standard but with just three tackling the Channel, Coach, Mitchell and Raftery route would mean plenty of driving duty. Joe (not Tony) took on the northbound k to Channel Rd and the first k east to Kensington's roundabout, setting me the task of second shift to the truck route (whether it's Coulda's, Woulda's or Squirrels, funny how these turns are standardized to the usual landmarks)  Laura waited in the wings.  The northeaster stifled speed but by Channel Rd's end most of the route's remainder would be wind assisted, not resisted. Laura's shift to Orrvale started with great intention, it's a shame the reality taxed the tempo in the last 200 metres.  Giuseppe (not Antonio) had the 1200 metres to the Kinder so starting my second shift south on Central Ave needed a little restraint with the wind briefly behind to McFadyen.  The flashing red of a led ahead became my bait to continue on the front beyond the cypress trees.  Was it Nico in a Woulda's kit or a packet of LifeSavers that appeared in the dark?  

Laura was put in charge at the S bend, a few orchards and a raised channel was a sort of shelter for her to sustain swiftness.  Joe (not Tony) steered us into Coach Rd so velocity moved up a rung or two now that the northeaster was helping rather than hindering, my turn again at One Tree Dam to aim at Mitchell (resisting the natural reaction of turning into River Rd)   Mid thirties seemed to meet approval (well, nothing was being thrown at me!)  Mitchell's 6 km length to Central Kialla was diplomatically divided equally among us and wasn't it unique to ride in daylight!  I can't remember the last lap that was spent west to town on the Mitchell / Raftery route, once the staple diet of Couldabeens for the sprint to the suburbs.  No sprint today though, I need to stay on speaking terms with this faction (the Wouldabeens might just be my safety net as age slows me!)  Donating a drive from Melbourne Rd to the kink into Conrod wasn't popular with Laura, apparently I was to tow them both to the finish line but I knew Laura just loved the headwind to reach it! 

15/2  Swifter squirrels.

 

Archer St's shop became the pit stop before the squirrels even got started, 5:30 was fix Tina's tyre time.  (she's back on the tubed Specialized while the tubeless one goes through a troubled tubeless warranty)  Tubed or tubeless, seems punctures are the popular problem of late.  At least The Godfather's stopwatch wasn't ticking!  The delay of just a few minutes seemed to inject a bit of urgency into the lap and with just 5 to share the workload (Jen, Tina, the 5ft Ninja, Emil and I) this was going to be the lap of labor. Rubber stamp Emil doing the first shift to the truck route and me playing second fiddle, Jen, Tina and the Ninja next in line.  Stoking up the old engine to Emil's standard wasn't so hard, it's just driving the distance to Orrvale Rd that was taxing  (the shift starts with great expectation, then descends to great effort to live up to it!)  The inferiority complex keeps the hurry honest.  Jen's a hard act to follow, recovery put on hold while she sped to the Kinder.  I'd hoped Tina may have allowed me a bit more oxygen intake but that was wishful thinking.  This squirrel squad thing is getting out of hand!  

The Ninja drove to the S bend so Emil's shift started a little earlier than usual (time to prepare for pain Foss, the seat of suffering was soon to be mine)  Emil's elbow begged me to the front over Boundary Rd's bridge so with a hint of breeze at the behind and a billiard table smooth tarmac to Old Dookie, I had two things in my favor. (wish the lungs and legs were in my favor too!)   It's as black as the ace of spades at 6am, not long ago we were blinded by the sunrise at this time ; shame there's another 6 weeks of darkness to endure till eastern standard time gives us (short-lived) daylight again. That breeze wasn't much of a battle west on Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, the big battle was finding something like wattage for my next turn.  Emil's long drive from the main eastern channel to Grahamvale Rd succeeded in cooking me at second wheel, so the 1100 metres to Verney was all I was worth.  Jen could slice the wind back into town. 

16/2  Someone said free beer? 

A long line ahead meant there'd be a fair wait before my shift was due, though a bunch of 19 made it a bit messy at the back when the variables of velocity rippled to the rear.  Trav, Rocket, Liam, GiantAndy, Bo, Greg, the 5ft Ninja, Grumpy, Kreeky, Wozza, Kel, Emil, PistolPete, Tina, Bruce, The Godfather, Lenny and Boof's attendance said the social side of Wednesday is a popular thing.  I'd scored Liam's wheel as the order got sorted to Mitchell Rd but concerns about keeping up could be dealt with later.  Sit back and soak up the slipstream of eight ahead Foss!  

The only difficulty for the moment was hiding from the south southeast breeze.  It wasn't a good idea to start thinking about how many had packed into this peloton or how close wheels and elbows were, the level of trust we put in each other says it's a familiar family we belong to.  Easier up to River Rd but searching for a decent draft toward rooster corner said there was more south than east in the wind.  A brief chat with Wozza, Pistol, Grumpy and Boof in the left line while I advanced in the right diverted the worries of the wind when reaching the front.  Liam kindly turned his tempo to an idle as I dug the depths of determination to get to Boundary Rd's bridge without blowing a gasket.  

Trying to stay alongside Tina when the turn rolled was even harder now that most of the energy had evaporated.  Tina apologized for being slow ; I was delighted she wasn't any faster, I could barely keep up!  I was about to risk a breath to call Tina across but she saved me the trouble (and the oxygen) by calling "I'm done" at the fig farm, The Godfather advancing to to head us to Old Dookie Rd.  The wind had shifted east southeast 'cause west on Old Dookie got easier and subsequently faster, the pressure on performance now lifted with a free tow to town.  Pace was well primed.  Quick work on the Lockwood, Byass, Archer and Fryers route to coffee, competing with commuting traffic turned the bunch into Brown's cows.  

17/2  Thuffering Thursday. 

Here we go again!  Thursday (like Tuesday) has the squirrel habit locked in, and wouldn't it be odd without the struggle into a headwind to the start line!  (and wouldn't it be great to start a lap with a full tank!)   The Ninja and a tubeless Tina were at the shop as Emil, Jen and I rolled in for the 5:30 flagfall.  (Kim's absence again is going to need a note from home!)  Just like the last squirrel spin (and most beforehand), Emil led the charge into Channel Rd with a south southwesterly to set an echelon to. That 1200 metres to Orrvale Rd was already harrowing in my head,  I knew the toil to come so I've only myself to blame for joining in!  

(Do we do this for the challenge or 'cause it feels good when we stop?  Come to think of it, why are any of us knowingly pushing the limits of labor, charging through the darkness at stupid o'clock?  For the cruelty.......or the coffee after?  Best not to think about it Foss, just accept it's part of the addiction!)  A house or three, the Orrvale School and an orchard gave me a little shelter from the wind and just at the point of legs beginning to buckle, a couple of passing cars gave a draft to get me to Orrvale Rd.  I'd managed two good breaths at the back before Jen turned up the turbo on the ChaCha.  By the Kinder the heart rate had dropped just 10 beats ;  maybe Tina's turn into the wind on Central Ave might get me feeling human again?   20 seconds worth of slightly slower was enough to find composure, Tina's turn toward the cypress trees resuming the tempo.   5 feet worth of Ninja was on a mission to polish off Channel Rd so Emil had the northbound pleasure to pace Boundary Rd.  Here we go again, planning for the pain from Old Dookie Rd onward I guess!  Surprise, surprise, Emil showed an elbow at the fig farm, 400 metres early.  

Why I took on my own challenge to still aim at New Dookie Rd I couldn't say, but going beyond the comfort zone is a good thing isn't it?  Predictably, I regretted the target when legs went to jelly shy of the mark   (I wondered if Jen would notice if I hooked a tow rope to her Avanti as she took the lead role?)  I was counting on getting a few breaths back at Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd but Tina was in Struggle Street when Jen crossed the rail-line.  In the spirit of collaboration, Jen eased 10% off the accelerator and the order shuffled to give Tina maximum draft.  I'd suddenly found myself second wheel again!  (What was that about comfort zone Foss?)   It's standard operational procedure to aim at the main channel on the turn west into Lemnos-Cosgrove so keeping tempo to suit Tina allowed my legs and lungs to get there (That's third shift done for me, maybe my last?)  Emil did a long drive into Ford Rd and handed Tina the last 500 to Grahamvale, the 5ft Ninja reaching Verney, so Jen had the wrestle with the wind south to Balaclava.   I did get a 4th shift, at least with coffee as the motivational target, but was released from duty when Jen punctured 300 metres later. 

18/2  Fraternal Friday. 

Not many were keen to advance.  26 km/h worth of south southwesterly fair in the face wasn't so welcoming toward Mitchell Rd, many tucking into PistolPete's slipstream while he tentatively turned up the tempo south of the truck route.  I'd locked in my berth at 5th wheel, 10 k's worth of headwind to the start line justifying my exemption from an early effort.  I was leaving that job to those with wattage!  Rocket, Wozza, Boof, Lenny, Bruce and Emil lined up for duty while Grumpy, The Godfather, Tina, Bo, Jen, Kreeky and Kel seemed happy to wait for their turn to come in due course.  

Tina was tested when Rocket added a little more velocity so a little less hurry kept the fraternity united (and saved a breath or two for the increase in pace no doubt to come)    Wind at the right flank headed to Central Kialla wasn't much fun ; I shouldn't complain though, there'd be little joy at the front!  I'd had luck in getting Kreeky's wheel to follow - Jen was on mine so I'd made note to save something for part two of my appearance at the front (due later ; plenty were ahead had yet to serve their speed)  

In a lather of sweat yesterday and searching for warmth in "feels like 11" today, turning up the effort in River Rd at least built up the internal temperature.  Boof and Emil headed the eastern route to rooster corner.  (start the h.t.f.u. now Foss, at this rate I'd get to the front and have the southwester in Old Dookie Rd!  I'll accept I become anti-social nearer the pointy end of the bunch, the want for oxygen over-rules chat ; whereas division one's can happily carry on a conversation in the drivers seat!  The Cats count was low as we crossed the Midland, their lap predominantly with a head wind not such an attractive proposition?  Bo and Kel did the distance to Old Dookie Rd with Bo on a half wheel habit.  Kreeky co-piloted with Bo from School Rd to Central, so at second wheel the increase in wind resistance already crushed my hopes of a decent turn before it started.  Apologizing to Kreeky in advance for a likely short shift, I'd barely sighted Dobson's bridge when the alarms of impending implosion sounded, the want for wattage to keep up with Jen went unanswered just 400 metres later.  No horsepower, but plenty of humility helped!  I did my best Chewbacca impersonation in her draft.  Coffee cured it 8 minutes later. 

This week 309 km             YTD 1,999 km                                    

Between effort and explosion.

 Post #632

5/2  A big bunch for a big birthday.

This would test my memory ; a mass of lights converged on Sanctuary Drive, far from the handful last Saturday.  Was it circumstance or celebration for The Godfather's birthday?   Rocket, Bruce, Greg, Troy, Lance, the 5ft Ninja, GiantAndy, Grumpy, Bo, Wozza, Lenny, Boof, Tina, Emil, Liam, PistolPete, BeerMat, Molly, Nev, BamBam, Kreeky and The Godfather filled the starting grid so this would be a one turn Saturday for almost all (Troy and BamBam had timed their visit well)    Off into the southern darkness at 6, avoiding the Archer Rd canines was the hot subject as PistolPete and Nev guided us to Mitchell Rd (thankfully, no dog dramas to deal with)   There wasn't a wild wind, a steamy temperature or an arctic chill; 15 degrees and a suggestion of a south east breeze felt foreign! Good to welcome Troy back after a long lay-off and quite the relief to have Nev turn up on a proper bike this time, and not some fat tyred thing with a 10 ft pole as handlebars.  

Factions according to fitness had formed again to give comfort to the partnering process at the pointy end, the long line ahead (from my viewpoint) had estimates in the 30's but the reality of a headcount confirmed 22.  (When the usual turn-up is a dozen, twenty or so looks like a crowd)  Effort to stay aboard was like falling off a log, tucked into the slipstream of 15 ahead while GiantAndy and Bruce played pilots was just like Christmas all over again.  Greetings to The Godfather for his 'significant' birthday became a big part of the social racket headed to rooster corner, the rising Saturday sun lighting up the flat vistas around us. You could set the bike on auto-pilot for this oh-so-familiar course of Coach / Boundary, Old Dookie, Lemnos-Cosrove, Ford and Wanganui roads ; familiarity makes the lap comfortable I suppose but dare I suggest a different course (once a month?) in the interest of variety? (let's see what the Coulda's conciliation and arbitration commission has to say)    

It's been a while since riding in a Saturday bunch bigger than a dozen ; remember the days when Shorty, TrekTrev, AvantiTrev (calling the speed limit infringements), Hollywood, HBK et al would be part of the pack......but that's all history isn't it? (The performance figures suggest an improvement since then).  Back into town, GiantAndy uncorked the charge to Mt.Wanganui at DECA's test track and all hurry broke loose.  Bruce, Rocket, Wozza, Emil and others blessed with wattage couldn't hold back and bolted too.  There was a sudden search for compatriots at the back, nobody wanted to go o.t.a. alone! 

Thankfully PistolPete and Liam (caught at the back when GiantAndy galloped) had  the horsepower to help the caboose from breaking into bits.  The bolt along the Boulevard discarded BeerMat and Lance from the front bunch, the rear guard of survivors happy to pick up the pieces.   Serendipity, the sugar/fat ratio and escalating caravan prices provided the decibels over the breakfast table. 

7/2  Monday's menage.

Monday-itis must have gripped a few ; numbers were down to The Godfather, the 5ft Ninja, Bruce, Lenny, Wozza, PistolPete, Tina, Rocket, Greg and Emil to start the week at Sanctuary's start-line.  (we're not going too bad though, Cats only managed 3 and Goats 4)    I wished I'd stuck with the plan to use a base layer, feels like 10 at the grid was cooler than I'd dressed for.  No doubt the horsepower in this mob would turn the heat up.  PistolPete was back to his ritual first shift to Mitchell and tempo had been tamed to mid 30's, something sustainable to start the week (better than diving into the deep end!)     It wasn't hard to miss Lenny's "new" bike ; a mint 90's alloy Cannondale (previously owned by Col Allpress) now in his shiny stable. (Imelda Marcos had shoes, Lenny's got bikes!)  

Greg provided his usual velocity, despite clocking a 160 k tour through the hills on Sunday ;  he'll have the entire Tour de Cure team on his wheel for the Geelong-Canberra epic on March 10.  (Get behind his fund-raiser if you haven't already)   The Godfather seemed subdued, maybe his Saturday hydration had overwhelmed him?  Rocket and Wozza cruised at an idle while many like me were well into zone 4 holding onto their slipstream behind, Tina had braved an advance on Greg's wheel so why should I shy from promotion in the pack?  (thanks for the motivation Tina ; snapped me out of my Monday-itis!) I'd paired with Tina 150 metres before Channel Rd, careful to keep a wheel level as an air of determination drove her to the highway (at least that last 300 metres has a fraction of downhill about it and the smooth tarmac eases that "have I left the handbrake on?" feeling.  

Bruce kindly called "Your speed" as he and I fronted the pack across the highway, and that took a bit of pressure off. (There's still the internal pressure to perform something resembling decent though!) Resisting the urge to raise the white flag at the bridge, my tactic was to tread the fine line between effort and explosion - hurry up Old Dookie Rd, you're not that far away are you?!)  Bruce was gentle on the gas pedal turning west (cheque's in the mail young man!) so I could gather up lost oxygen for the enthused effort to get back to town.  Strangely, Greg didn't exit on School Rd today, the lure of the cafe, coffee and chat on a weekday was too hard to resist.  Emil and Pistol were on towing duties as we crossed Central Ave, a hint of that northeaster helping our hurry back into town. 

8/2  Not a steady tap anymore! 

Same squirrels, same circuit, just a slightly different order for Tuesday's tour of Shepp East and Lemnos.  Speed was still on the menu for this squad ; I've learned not to come along expecting a steady tap!  (These gals are on a mission!)  Emil's usual shift to the truck route wasn't sparing the horsepower so the standard was set for me to live up to.  To Orrvale Rd and the muscle meter was showing empty so Jen took over to tow us to the Kinder, that hint of less rolling resistance on the ChaCha's silky smooth tarmac just the ticket for recovery.  Kim was fourth cab off the rank today, the 400 metres down Central Ave and 600 across McFadyen to the cypress trees taken with plenty of pace for Tina's turn to start.  A northeaster made it's presence felt, just to see what we're worth.  Tina survived to the S bend, giving the 5ft Ninja the elbow to finish off Channel Rd.  Shifts seem slightly shorter but stronger as a result.  Emil was back at the rushin' front on Boundary Rd so readied myself for work at Old Dookie Rd.  Emil's ease on the accelerator across the highway kept the six together, building velocity into the high 30's to the bridge but traffic ahead and behind at Old Dookie made a change of shift awkward. Emil had the energy to hold the reigns to New Dookie, so I got the drive beyond.  

Thanks to the orchard north of the rail-line giving shelter from the breeze, I could keep up to the standards set.  West on Lemnos-Cosgrove did feel easier (of course it did at the back while Jen did the driving to the bridge!)  Kim had no trouble with tempo to Lemnos North Rd (powered by Saturday night's rocket fuel Kim?) and Tina probably didn't want that long 2600 metre opening shift on Ford Rd.....but did it anyway.  The 5ft Ninja had the lead role crossing Grahamvale Rd as first light finally lit the roadside from behind, but she wasn't done reaching Verney, denying Emil the final fling  to Balaclava Rd (but he did play pilot through the streets to cure the caffeine craving).

9/2  The klatch.

(yeah alright...... it's a noun ; An informal social gathering at which coffee is served.  Yeah, this nerd reads a thesaurus!)  

So what drives this obsession to get out of bed at stupid o'clock and charge through the darkened streets on two wheels?  Whatever the reason, seventeen others had the disease at Sanctuary Drive on Wednesday (namely Wozza, Liam, Kim, PistolPete, Kreeky, Kel, Grumpy, Lenny, Emil, Tina, Greg, Bruce, Bo, Trav, Boof, Molly and The Godfather)   What made me jump straight into 3rd wheel in the advance line as Pistol and Bruce got us southbound I don't know.....I'm usually the one searching for the sedate wheel to follow in the left line, then grizzle about the labor to come!  

Maybe I'd forgotten to pack my procrastination?  Maybe the cement I had on the Weet-Bix had hardened already?  Maybe it was the breeze at the behind that motivated an early turn?   (Being behind Trav and ahead of Boof was most out of character)  Trav moved into the drivers seat as the bunch bore east to Central Kialla, that breeze found to be a east northeaster if I moved a fraction off the slipstream (So being on the front for the northbound leg to River Rd might not be so bad?   It's only 2 km long but with high 30's on the menu there'd be little in the tank to go further)   So half way to River Rd I called a short shift to Trav and dialed up the determination to do the last k with Boof. Such a courteous lad to stay alongside ; must send him a few $ as compensation for all that the wear to his brake pads!   

The Godfather had the grunt to face the breeze to River Rd's bridge, Grumpy donating his services with The Godfather to the dip.  Recalcitrant rabbits were the day's chicanes ; funny how they dart out of the darkness only as the days get short.  Bo served his penance (just for being Bo) with a fair turn to Coach Rd , the rooster crowing his greeting as Kel captained us north.  3 of the Hurtlocker (but 2 headlights) sped south.  Tina and Kim lined up behind for their duty north but Kim had crossed the floor to vote for shelter in the left line over the highway.  (A fair collection of Cats toured south)    Emil worked his wattage to take us to Old Dookie Rd and the east northeaster promised some pace toward town (Liam receiving a memo from Bruce on Wednesday's social speed obligations when 43 appeared on speedo's)  Greg was town bound again today, probably needing a No-Doze following a 3am start (not many can sign their name to a 120k ride before 8am!  Tina's 4am start could be construed as sensible!)  Like all Couldabeens laps, all that start together finish together (*does not apply to Tuesday's / Thursday's from the shop!), the camaraderie over coffee almost as good as the lap itself. 

10/2  New order.

And Molly made seven.  Squirrel numbers had grown Thursday....it's become a fashionable formula. Kim, the 5ft Ninja, Emil, Tina and Jen congregated at the Archer St start too, the wait for BamBam's arrival in vein (of course).  We did wait till the appointed 5:30 flagfall.  Naturally Emil started the ball rolling into Channel Rd but the order had changed from the usual.  (The change of routine would put a new light on the lap).  Molly took on the second wheel spot, so it felt foreign for me to be third with Kim, Tina, Jen and the 5ft Ninja behind.  (Creatures of habit aren't we?)  Molly did the shift to Orrvale Rd so I scored the smoothness of the ChaCha but had it's 1500 metre length.    Ooops! I'd be giving Kim the headwind in Central Ave (Luck / bad luck of the draw I guess)  I'd be struck off the Christmas card list this year!    The eastern leg of McFadyen might make up for Central's southbound struggle?   Tina took over at the cypress trees to take us to the S bend and Jen was tasked to reach Coach Rd, navigating the snap crackle and pop of a fresh topping of gravel on the tarmac patches.   

The 5ft Ninja had the luck of the tail-wind north to the highway, continuing her contribution to the bridge.  Emil served a slightly shorter shift to Old Dookie Rd where Molly had the reigns to guide us to New Dookie.  Despite the change in order, the shifts and the shift workers stay a known quantity, a comfort when you're bolting along nudging the high 30's just a few centimetres apart.  (There's a lot of trust put in your team when you think about it)  Molly worked a bit of overtime in the drivers seat to the railway line so my short 800 metres to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd had an extra 2000 added west to the main channel to resemble something like worthy.  Oooops! Probably toasted Kim in the process!   No Christmas cards next year either?) Jen took us the first 3200 metres of Ford Rd to Grahamvale, the 5ft Ninja calling it quits at Verney so Emil (into the wind) dragged us into town for  caffeine as compensation. 

11/2  At war with wind.  

We spend most of our lives avoiding pain, taking paracetamol (or something stronger) to relieve it, so why is it we endure it in the pursuit of pleasure?  Friday had the pain of a 30 km/h southerly to face just to get to the start line, 10 k's of it in fact if only to keep company with a collection of like-minded 'cyclusts' (switch to the web page version for Foss's dictionary, right hand side).  Spare a thought for the 5ft Ninja who had a 15 km commute into it....solo!  Legs felt toasted just reaching Sanctuary Drive ; would they survive another 30 to get to the Butter Factory?  JJ, The Godfather, Greg, Kreeky, Jen, Emil, birthday boy Bo, PistolPete, Tina, Boof, Lenny, Rocket, Bruce, Kel, Wozza and the 5ft Ninja amassed at the roundabout, PistolPete playing Peter Pan to lead a rather long line south (Many were hesitant to hurry into the headwind of the advance line for some strange reason!) 

It was a tough gig at the back, hats off to Wozza and Pistol on the front! Thinking the way east to Central Kialla would be better was a folly, the side on gusts in Mitchell Rd had us steering like two year olds. There was some redemption headed north to River Rd but a further 6 km east to Coach Rd would be at war with the wind.    Thankfully, there was a lot of power ahead to take the torture.  Bo and Kel paired for the northern assault on Coach Rd, Bo's birthday present a reprieve at the Broken bridges.  I had comfort co-piloting Kel to Channel Rd (probably 'cause it's slightly downhill Foss!) but thereafter I felt I was being sacrificed for speed. The gal's quick!  (pleased to see 40 on the speedo though - my 'pain for the pursuit of pleasure' theory in action)   Even with the wind at the backside, I gave Kreeky the heads-up my tank would run dry by the Boundary bridge, so it was a surprise to find 39 on the Garmin for the 1200 metres to get there  (what the head says and the legs will deliver can be a total contrast eh?)   

Kreeky supplied the slipstream for my recovery while the 5ft Ninja then Tina fronted us to Old Dookie Rd.  Westbound had us steering like a drunk driver as the wind whipped at the wheels, and coupled with slight variations in velocity at the front had the bunch like Brown's cows at the rear.  The real pleasure came when we stopped, coffee seems to cure all ills (but then most of us are silly enough to get up at stupid o'clock and do it all again tomorrow!)

This week 297 km   YTD 1,688 km